Distributed range & status
Common in coastal areas of Sri Lanka such as Muturajawela, Negambo, Bentara, Eluwankulama, Bellanwila, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Panapitiya, Kandakuliya, Bolgoda, Colombo, Panama, Galle, Rajagiriya, Puttalum Attidiya, Godawaya, Matara, Dodanduwa, Maduganga. Also they’re found in east coast of India, Nicobar Islands & Andaman. Species are extended towards Australia.
Scales
rostral |
Connected with another 4 scales |
frontal |
Divided partially in to smaller scales |
supraoculars |
2 |
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Back of the rostral connected broadly with each other. |
internasals |
Connected to loreals |
loreals |
1-2 |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
1-2 |
temporals |
|
Supralabials |
9-10 (non connected with the eye) 2 or 3 might horizontally divided |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
132-160 |
anal |
1 divided, post anal 49-72 divided |
subcaudals |
49-72 |
21-25 mid body scale rows are present. Scales are rough & keeled. Lateral scales are fully divided in to smaller scales.
Characteristics
Presence of a projecting upper jaw giving this type of snakes a dog-like appearance. This jaw is broader. The head is long & distinct from the neck region. Head is broader than the neck. Nostrils contain muscular flaps which can be used to close the nose when needed. Eyes are small & beady with round pupils. Tail tip is flattened &the tail is short.
Colour
Dorsal body is dark grey, brown, olive or black colour with faint dark blotches & a dark line along the sides of the head, across the eyes. Ventral body is cream colour with two distinct rows of large diffuse dark grey spots. But rarely the ventral body may take a light grey colour.
Venom
These snakes are mildly venomous. Ophisthoglyphous fangs are present.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
They’re mostly active at night but also found in the day time & abundant in low areas. Found in estuaries, mangroves & brackish water & rarely in shallow sea. These snakes are able to swim well & fast. Found on trees near to water. They show side winding when on land. Some times may even borrow through loose sand or hide in crab holes in day time. When excited these snakes are known to make a hissing noise but bites happen very rarely. When bitten the wound may become swollen & mild pain is occurred.
Breeding
Combat dances are seen among male snakes at the mating seasons. They’re Ovoviviparous & 8-26 young are born & remain together with the mother for some time before dispersing.
Growth
At birth 178-190mm & grow up to 600-1000mm adults.
Food
The diet mainly consists of eels, fish, crabs, prawns, frogs, mudskippers & gobies. It uses the tail to attract prey.
|
